Connecticut Department of Labor's Office of Research

Labor Market Information - State of Connecticut Labor Situation

State of Connecticut Labor Situation

Last Updated: September 18, 2025

CT August nonfarm payrolls increase 900 and the unemployment rate (3.8%) holds firm

WETHERSFIELD, September 18, 2025 - Connecticut nonfarm industry payrolls increased 900 jobs (0.1%) in August 2025, to a level of 1,720,200, while the state's unemployment rate was stable at 3.8% (preliminary, seasonally adjusted data) for the fourth month in a row. Nonfarm industry payrolls in the state are now 12,700 (0.7%) positions higher than a year ago and again at a new post-COVID high (just 700 jobs from the all-time high of 1,720,900, 3/08). The July 2025 preliminary job increase of 700 (0.04%) was revised slightly higher by 100 to an 800 jobs gain (0.1%) on the regular monthly revision. The August 2025 preliminary Connecticut jobless rate of 3.8% was unchanged for the fourth month in a row but is higher by six-tenths of one percent from a year ago (3.2%). Connecticut remains below the U.S. rate (currently 4.3% for August) for the 32nd consecutive month. This labor statistics release presents current estimated data from two different monthly surveys (household and workplace) produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in association with the states.

"After fluctuations earlier this year (some of which were related to a labor dispute) Connecticut has now posted two consecutive months of steady job growth at a sustainable pace," said Patrick Flaherty, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. "The unemployment rate remains low and private sector employment is at an all-time high."

Nonfarm Jobs Detail (business establishment survey)

Connecticut's Private Sector employment was up by 1,200 positions (0.1%) in August 2025 to 1,484,000 and is now up by 12,500 jobs (0.8%) from the August 2024 level. July's preliminary private sector gain of just 200 jobs (0.01%) was adjusted slightly upward by 300 to 500 (0.03%) payrolls. The total government supersector declined by 300 (-0.1%) positions in August to a level of 236,200 jobs and is now higher by just 200 (0.1%) positions over the year. Connecticut's combined government supersector consists of all civilian federal, state, local, and tribal government employment, including public education and Native American casino jobs located on federally recognized tribal reservations.

Four of the ten major industry supersectors gained jobs in August 2025, while six supersectors declined.

The four industry supersectors that increased employment or were unchanged in August 2025 included:

Education & Health Services +1,700 0.5% 373,500
Manufacturing +700 0.5% 153,600
Other Services +500 0.8% 65,100
Financial Activities +200 0.2% 120,200

The six industry supersector that decreased in jobs in August 2025 were:

Construction & Mining -600 -0.9% 62,600
Trade, Transportation & Utilities -500 -0.5% 298,400
Information -300 -1.0% 31,000
Professional and Business Services -300 -0.1% 223,600
Government -300 -0.1% 236,200
Leisure & Hospitality -200 -0.1% 156,000

NONFARM EMPLOYMENT
Jobs - by Place of Work

CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES - Seasonally Adjusted
	August	July	June	May	August	Over Month		Over Year
	2025 P	2025 R	2025	2025	2024	Change	Rate	Change	Rate

CONNECTICUT	1,720,200	1,719,300	1,718,500	1,712,400	1,707,500	900	0.1%	12,700	0.7%
Total Private	1,484,000	1,482,800	1,482,300	1,477,300	1,471,500	1,200	0.1%	12,500	0.8%
Goods Producing Industries
Mining	500	500	500	500	500	0	0.0%	0	0.0%
Construction	62,100	62,700	63,000	63,100	63,500	-600	-1.0%	-1,400	-2.2%
Manufacturing	153,600	152,900	153,100	150,600	155,400	700	0.5%	-1,800	-1.2%
Durable Goods	120,700	119,800	120,000	117,400	122,100	900	0.8%	-1,400	-1.1%
Nondurable Goods	32,900	33,100	33,100	33,200	33,300	-200	-0.6%	-400	-1.2%
Service Providing Industries
Trade, Transportation & Utilities	298,400	298,900	299,000	299,900	298,000	-500	-0.2%	400	0.1%
Wholesale	61,800	61,900	62,500	62,200	60,800	-100	-0.2%	1,000	1.6%
Retail	162,600	163,300	162,900	164,100	165,100	-700	-0.4%	-2,500	-1.5%
Transp, Warehousing & Utilities	74,000	73,700	73,600	73,600	72,100	300	0.4%	1,900	2.6%
Information	31,000	31,300	30,900	30,600	31,000	-300	-1.0%	0	0.0%
Financial Activities	120,200	120,000	119,500	119,400	117,700	200	0.2%	2,500	2.1%
Finance & Insurance	100,000	99,900	99,600	99,500	98,200	100	0.1%	1,800	1.8%
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing	20,200	20,100	19,900	19,900	19,500	100	0.5%	700	3.6%
Professional & Business Services	223,600	223,900	222,100	220,600	220,300	-300	-0.1%	3,300	1.5%
Prof, Scientific & Tech Services	103,700	103,600	102,300	101,400	101,300	100	0.1%	2,400	2.4%
Management of Companies	31,200	31,000	31,000	30,800	31,200	200	0.6%	0	0.0%
Admn & Support & Waste Mgt Serv	88,700	89,300	88,800	88,400	87,800	-600	-0.7%	900	1.0%
Educational & Health Services	373,500	371,800	372,400	372,000	368,200	1,700	0.5%	5,300	1.4%
Private Educational Services	73,800	73,800	73,500	73,900	74,200	0	0.0%	-400	-0.5%
Health Care & Social Assistance	299,700	298,000	298,900	298,100	294,000	1,700	0.6%	5,700	1.9%
Leisure and Hospitality	156,000	156,200	157,500	157,000	153,000	-200	-0.1%	3,000	2.0%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation	28,300	28,500	28,400	28,300	28,300	-200	-0.7%	0	0.0%
Accommodation & Food Services	127,700	127,700	129,100	128,700	124,700	0	0.0%	3,000	2.4%
Other Services	65,100	64,600	64,300	63,600	63,900	500	0.8%	1,200	1.9%
Government**	236,200	236,500	236,200	235,100	236,000	-300	-0.1%	200	0.1%
UNITED STATES	159,540,000	159,518,000	159,439,000	159,452,000	158,074,000	22,000	0.0%	1,466,000	0.9%

Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs): Three of the five of the major Connecticut LMAs (the 5 Metros formed from the CT Councils of Governments or COG regions) that are seasonally adjusted by the BLS (about 93.7% coverage of the state) revealed small nonfarm industry payroll gains in August 2025 while two declined. The Waterbury-Shelton LMA (0.3%, 163,200) led in monthly percentage increase and matched the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury LMA (0.1%, 412,800) with gains of 500 to pace regional numerical gains over-the-month. The Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford LMA (0.03%, 611,400) also added 200 positions. On the other hand, the Norwich-New London-Willimantic LMA (-0.3%, 128,300) and the New Haven LMA (-0.1%, 295,700) both lost 400 jobs.

LABOR MARKET AREAS (LMAs, COG-based)
Labor Market Area employment estimates are made independently of Statewide estimates.

Seasonally Adjusted data (Metros)	August	July	June	May	August	Over Month		Over Year
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (5 CT MSAs)	2025 P	2025 R	2025	2025	2024	Change	Rate	Change	Rate
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	412,800	412,300	411,200	410,100	407,000	500	0.1%	5,800	1.4%
Hartford	611,400	611,200	609,900	605,900	606,900	200	0.0%	4,500	0.7%
New Haven	295,700	296,100	295,600	295,200	292,900	-400	-0.1%	2,800	1.0%
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	128,300	128,700	128,800	128,600	127,500	-400	-0.3%	800	0.6%
Waterbury - Shelton	163,200	162,700	162,800	162,100	160,800	500	0.3%	2,400	1.5%
Not Seasonally Adjusted data (Non-
Putnam - Northeastern	29,100	28,800	29,200	29,000	28,900	300	1.0%	200	0.7%
Torrington - Northwest Hills	38,500	38,800	38,700	38,500	38,100	-300	-0.8%	400	1.0%

* Less than 0					P = Preliminary		R = Revised
Starting in March, 2011, our monthly statewide and major LMA nonfarm job estimates have been taken over by the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the final phase of transition in this program, which began in 2008. As a result of changes in the estimation procedures, you are likely to see more variability in month-to-month estimates of job counts. Caution should be used in interpreting any single month’s estimate. The data are best interpreted to identify trends and cycles over several months and quarters. If you have any questions about these changes, please email us at: dol.lmi@ct.gov. COG - Council of Government regions.



Connecticut Labor Situation								August 2025

Note: The new five major Connecticut LMAs are independently estimated from the statewide data by the BLS and cover over 93% of the nonfarm employment in the state. As a result, estimates will not exactly sum to the statewide total. Furthermore, monthly Seasonal Adjustment (SA) on these 5 new designated COG-based labor markets may undergo some shifting seasonality effects due to the concurrent seasonal process exaggerating some movements on the new geographies due to the lack of more precise historical seasonal factors (because the metros are new).

Hours and Earnings: The August 2025 Private Sector average work week, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 33.6 hours (AWH). This is unchanged from the August 2024 average (0.0%, 33.6). Average hourly earnings (AHE) at $38.97 in August 2025, not seasonally adjusted, were up by $1.21 (3.2%) from the August 2024 average estimate of $37.76. The resulting August 2025 private sector average weekly earnings (AWE=AWHxAHE) were estimated at $1,309.39, higher by $40.65 (3.2%) from a year ago ($1,268.74). The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. City Average, not seasonally adjusted - all items index) for August 2025 was up 2.9% from a year ago.

	AVG WEEKLY EARNINGS				AVG WEEKLY HOURS				AVG HOURLY EARNINGS
	Aug		CHG	Jul	Aug		CHG	Jul	Aug		CHG	Jul
(Not seasonally adjusted)	2025	2024	Y/Y	2025	2025	2024	Y/Y	2025	2025	2024	Y/Y	2025
PRODUCTION WORKER
MANUFACTURING	$1,166.78	$1,237.93	-$71.15	$1,167.71	39.7	39.5	0.2	40.1	$29.39	$31.34	-$1.95	$29.12
DURABLE GOODS	1,203.57	1,295.03	-91.46	1,207.83	38.7	38.6	0.1	39.0	31.10	33.55	-2.45	30.97
NON-DUR. GOODS	1,060.74	1,068.03	-7.29	1,056.09	42.6	41.9	0.7	43.3	24.90	25.49	-0.59	24.39
CONSTRUCTION	1,578.86	1,558.05	20.81	1,609.23	39.1	39.0	0.1	39.5	40.38	39.95	0.43	40.74

ALL EMPLOYEES
STATEWIDE
TOTAL PRIVATE	1,309.39	1,268.74	40.65	1,301.48	33.6	33.6	0.0	33.5	38.97	37.76	1.21	38.85
GOODS PRODUCING	1,553.06	1,531.94	21.12	1,556.74	38.0	39.2	-1.2	38.4	40.87	39.08	1.79	40.54
Construction	1,614.07	1,549.19	64.88	1,619.69	36.7	37.0	-0.3	37.2	43.98	41.87	2.11	43.54
Manufacturing	1,474.98	1,480.46	-5.48	1,475.53	39.0	39.5	-0.5	39.4	37.82	37.48	0.34	37.45
SERVICE PROVIDING	1,269.61	1,221.85	47.76	1,259.28	32.9	32.6	0.3	32.7	38.59	37.48	1.11	38.51
Trade, Transp., Utilities	1,053.98	993.69	60.29	1,043.85	32.5	32.2	0.3	32.6	32.43	30.86	1.57	32.02
Financial Activities	2,240.18	2,114.65	125.53	2,217.78	37.2	36.7	0.5	37.0	60.22	57.62	2.60	59.94
Prof. & Business Serv.	1,620.72	1,613.88	6.84	1,615.07	36.0	36.0	0.0	35.7	45.02	44.83	0.19	45.24
Education & Health Ser.	1,201.07	1,130.44	70.63	1,201.80	33.7	32.4	1.3	33.3	35.64	34.89	0.75	36.09
Leisure & Hospitality	630.29	620.51	9.78	618.12	25.8	26.7	-0.9	25.5	24.43	23.24	1.19	24.24
Other Services	814.66	872.10	-57.44	820.76	27.7	30.0	-2.3	28.4	29.41	29.07	0.34	28.90

LABOR MARKET AREAS: TOTAL PRIVATE
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	1,341.78	1,288.38	53.40	1,323.57	33.0	32.7	0.3	32.9	40.66	39.40	1.26	40.23
Hartford-W.Hartford-E.Hartford	1,291.16	1,309.10	-17.94	1,283.05	33.8	34.1	-0.3	33.8	38.20	38.39	-0.19	37.96
New Haven	1,224.44	1,210.47	13.97	1,236.43	33.3	33.2	0.1	33.3	36.77	36.46	0.31	37.13
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	1,145.36	1,116.50	28.86	1,160.58	32.3	32.4	-0.1	32.5	35.46	34.46	1.00	35.71
Waterbury-Shelton	1,180.94	1,084.69	96.25	1,179.22	34.5	33.1	1.4	34.2	34.23	32.77	1.46	34.48

Note: Current all-employee private sector hours and earnings estimates can be volatile due to fluctuating sample responses..

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in August, after rising 0.2 percent in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.9 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.4 percent in August and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index increased 0.5 percent over the month as the food at home index rose 0.6 percent and the food away from home index increased 0.3 percent. The index for energy rose 0.7 percent in August as the index for gasoline increased 1.9 percent over the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in August, as it did in July. Indexes that increased over the month include airline fares, used cars and trucks, apparel, and new vehicles. The indexes for medical care, recreation, and communication were among the few major indexes that decreased in August.

The all items index rose 2.9 percent for the 12 months ending August, after rising 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending July. The all items less food and energy index rose 3.1 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index increased 0.2 percent for the 12 months ending August. The food index increased 3.2 percent over the last year.

State of Connecticut Unemployment Rate vs. United States Unemployment Rate

The preliminary August 2025 unemployment rate rate for Connecticut was calculated by the BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics program (LAUS) to be 3.8% (seasonally adjusted). This is now unchanged for four months in a row. CT's unemployment rate is up six-tenths of a percentage point from a year ago (3.2%, considered a statistically significant rate change OTY). The U.S. unemployment rate for August 2025 was 4.3%, up one-tenth of percentage point from the July 2025 rate (4.2%) and up one-tenth of a percentage point over the year from August 2024 (4.2%).

Month	2016			2017			2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024			2025
Month	CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.		CT	U.S.
Jan	5.3	4.8	-0.5	4.6	4.7	0.1	4.2	4.0	-0.2	3.7	4.0	0.3	3.8	3.6	-0.2	7.2	6.4	-0.8	4.8	4.0	-0.8	3.4	3.5	0.1	3.3	3.7	0.4	3.3	4.0	0.7
Feb	5.2	4.9	-0.3	4.5	4.6	0.1	4.2	4.1	-0.1	3.6	3.8	0.2	3.8	3.5	-0.3	7.2	6.2	-1.0	4.6	3.8	-0.8	3.3	3.6	0.3	3.2	3.9	0.7	3.4	4.1	0.7
Mar	5.1	5.0	-0.1	4.5	4.4	-0.1	4.1	4.0	-0.1	3.5	3.8	0.3	3.9	4.4	0.5	7.2	6.1	-1.1	4.4	3.7	-0.7	3.2	3.5	0.3	3.2	3.9	0.7	3.6	4.2	0.6
Apr	5.0	5.1	0.1	4.5	4.4	-0.1	4.0	4.0	0.0	3.5	3.7	0.2	8.3	14.8	6.5	7.2	6.1	-1.1	4.3	3.7	-0.6	3.1	3.4	0.3	3.1	3.9	0.8	3.7	4.2	0.5
May	5.0	4.8	-0.2	4.4	4.4	0.0	3.9	3.8	-0.1	3.5	3.6	0.1	11.9	13.2	1.3	7.0	5.8	-1.2	4.2	3.6	-0.6	3.1	3.6	0.5	3.1	4.0	0.9	3.8	4.2	0.4
Jun	4.9	4.9	0.0	4.4	4.3	-0.1	3.9	4.0	0.1	3.5	3.6	0.1	11.5	11.0	-0.5	7.0	5.9	-1.1	4.0	3.6	-0.4	3.0	3.6	0.6	3.1	4.1	1.0	3.8	4.1	0.3
Jul	4.8	4.8	0.0	4.4	4.3	-0.1	3.8	3.8	0.0	3.5	3.7	0.2	11.7	10.2	-1.5	6.6	5.4	-1.2	3.9	3.5	-0.4	3.1	3.5	0.4	3.1	4.2	1.1	3.8	4.2	0.4
Aug	4.7	4.9	0.2	4.4	4.4	0.0	3.8	3.8	0.0	3.6	3.6	0.0	9.6	8.4	-1.2	6.3	5.1	-1.2	3.7	3.6	-0.1	3.1	3.7	0.6	3.2	4.2	1.0	3.8	4.3	0.5
Sep	4.7	5.0	0.3	4.3	4.3	0.0	3.8	3.7	-0.1	3.6	3.5	-0.1	8.8	7.8	-1.0	5.9	4.7	-1.2	3.7	3.5	-0.2	3.2	3.8	0.6	3.2	4.1	0.9
Oct	4.6	4.9	0.3	4.3	4.2	-0.1	3.7	3.8	0.1	3.6	3.6	0.0	7.9	6.9	-1.0	5.6	4.5	-1.1	3.7	3.6	-0.1	3.3	3.9	0.6	3.2	4.1	0.9
Nov	4.6	4.7	0.1	4.3	4.2	-0.1	3.7	3.8	0.1	3.7	3.6	-0.1	7.5	6.7	-0.8	5.3	4.2	-1.1	3.6	3.6	0.0	3.3	3.7	0.4	3.2	4.2	1.0
Dec	4.6	4.7	0.1	4.3	4.1	-0.2	3.7	3.9	0.2	3.7	3.6	-0.1	7.4	6.7	-0.7	5.0	3.9	-1.1	3.5	3.5	0.0	3.3	3.8	0.5	3.2	4.1	0.9

The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value.

Labor Force / Residents Employed / Residents Unemployed

Average weekly initial unemployment claims (not seasonally adjusted) for first-time filers (AWIC) Connecticut for July 2025 were 2,898. This is 1,511 (-34.3%) claims lower than June 2025 (4,409) and lower by 211 claims (-6.8%) than the July 2024 (3,109) level. CT AWIC is amazingly low and subdued.

Month	2019			2020			2021			2022			2023			2024			2025
Month	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.	Labor Force	Resident Emp.	Resident Unemp.
Jan	1,928.9	1,858.3	70.6	1,938.8	1,865.6	73.3	1,811.7	1,680.9	130.8	1,952.9	1,859.1	93.8	1,905.2	1,840.3	64.9	1,926.9	1,863.3	63.6	1,957.3	1,893.4	63.8
Feb	1,928.1	1,858.6	69.5	1,933.3	1,858.9	74.4	1,809.0	1,678.7	130.2	1,948.9	1,860.0	88.9	1,905.5	1,842.7	62.8	1,929.7	1,867.2	62.5	1,957.1	1,890.7	66.4
Mar	1,927.2	1,859.0	68.2	1,927.1	1,851.7	75.4	1,807.6	1,678.0	129.6	1,944.4	1,859.6	84.8	1,906.3	1,845.3	61.0	1,933.0	1,871.5	61.4	1,956.4	1,886.9	69.5
Apr	1,927.0	1,859.8	67.2	1,830.8	1,678.9	151.9	1,808.7	1,678.3	130.4	1,940.4	1,857.6	82.8	1,907.5	1,848.0	59.5	1,936.4	1,875.6	60.8	1,960.1	1,888.0	72.2
May	1,928.0	1,861.3	66.7	1,905.1	1,679.3	225.8	1,806.6	1,679.6	127.0	1,934.9	1,854.3	80.6	1,909.0	1,850.5	58.5	1,939.9	1,879.4	60.5	1,960.2	1,885.9	74.3
Jun	1,930.2	1,863.4	66.9	1,896.4	1,678.4	218.0	1,828.9	1,701.8	127.1	1,927.7	1,849.7	78.0	1,911.1	1,853.0	58.1	1,943.0	1,882.4	60.5	1,956.5	1,882.7	73.8
Jul	1,933.2	1,865.4	67.8	1,905.1	1,682.8	222.3	1,845.4	1,723.3	122.1	1,919.6	1,844.6	75.0	1,913.8	1,855.2	58.6	1,946.1	1,885.1	60.9	1,954.0	1,879.8	74.2
Aug	1,936.3	1,867.3	68.9	1,864.0	1,685.3	178.7	1,863.2	1,745.5	117.7	1,911.6	1,840.2	71.5	1,916.3	1,856.6	59.7	1,949.5	1,888.0	61.5	1,949.9	1,876.7	73.3
Sep	1,939.2	1,869.4	69.8	1,852.5	1,689.0	163.5	1,878.9	1,767.3	111.6	1,908.9	1,837.4	71.5	1,918.5	1,857.3	61.3	1,952.8	1,890.8	62.0
Oct	1,941.6	1,871.0	70.5	1,833.0	1,688.5	144.5	1,897.6	1,790.5	107.2	1,907.0	1,836.3	70.7	1,920.5	1,857.8	62.7	1,955.4	1,893.0	62.4
Nov	1,943.0	1,871.6	71.3	1,824.6	1,687.0	137.6	1,915.0	1,813.5	101.5	1,905.8	1,836.6	69.2	1,922.4	1,858.7	63.7	1,955.9	1,893.4	62.5
Dec	1,942.2	1,869.9	72.3	1,819.8	1,684.2	135.6	1,934.2	1,836.5	97.6	1,905.4	1,838.2	67.1	1,924.5	1,860.4	64.1	1,955.6	1,893.2	62.5


	The nonfarm employment estimate, derived from a survey of businesses, is a measure of jobs in the state; the unemployment rate and labor force estimates are based on a household survey and measure the work status of people who live in Connecticut. Because of the distinct differences both in concept and scope between the two estimates, nonfarm employment and unemployment do not necessarily move in the same economic direction month to month. Job and employment estimates are best understood in the context of their movement over several months rather than observed changes in a single month's value.

Next Connecticut Labor Situation release: Thursday, September 18th, 2025 (Preliminary August 2025 data)

State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109